Johari Abdul-Malik facts for kids

Johari Abdul-Malik, born Winslow Seale in Brooklyn, New York City, is a respected American Muslim leader. He is known for being the first officially recognized Muslim chaplain in higher education in the United States. From 2002 to 2017, he served as the Director of Outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Northern Virginia.

Abdul-Malik has held many important roles. He was the head of the National Association of Muslim Chaplains in Higher Education. He also served as President of the Muslim Society of Washington, Inc.. He is a founding member of the Muslim Advocacy Commission of Washington, DC. He also helps with government relations for the Muslim Alliance in North America.

Early Life and Education

Johari Abdul-Malik's mother came from northern Louisiana. His father was from Barbados. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His parents raised him as an Anglican. In high school, he became interested in other spiritual ideas. He explored Taoism and Asian spirituality.

In 1974, Abdul-Malik started attending Howard University in Washington, DC. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He also received a Master of Science degree in Genetics and Human Genetics. During his time in graduate school, he converted to Islam. He became the President of the Muslim Student Association at Howard. He also studied Bioethics at the Georgetown University Kennedy Center for Ethics. He completed his Ph.D. coursework in Bioethics and Genetics. In 1994, Abdul-Malik performed Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Serving as a Muslim Chaplain

In November 1998, Johari Abdul-Malik became the chaplain of Howard University. This was a very important step. He was the first officially recognized Muslim chaplain at a university in the United States. He served in this role until the spring of 2004. As a chaplain, he supported Muslim students and the wider university community. He also spoke out on important issues. For example, he spoke about civil rights for Muslims.

Work at Dar al-Hijrah Mosque

In June 2002, Abdul-Malik joined the Dar al-Hijrah mosque. He became its Director of Outreach and spokesman. He explained that having an American voice at the mosque was important. This helped in speaking with the media and defending Islam. He said it was important for someone to understand the American system.

Abdul-Malik worked with Reverend Graylan Hagler. Together, they started the Ramadan Feed-the-Needy Program in Washington, DC. This program provides food to 100 homeless people every night during Ramadan.

Speaking Out Against Terrorism

After the 7 July 2005 London bombings in July 2005, Abdul-Malik appeared in a TV public service announcement. It was called "Not in the Name of Islam." In the ad, he and two Muslim women spoke out. They said that those who commit terror acts in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Koran and the Prophet Mohammed. They stated that Islam is about peace and justice, not hatred and violence.

In a press conference on July 25, 2005, Abdul-Malik again spoke against violence. He said that people who kill others for anger are against God. He also shared that a young person told him about someone trying to "recruit" them. Abdul-Malik advised the youth to stay away from such people.

Efforts Against Domestic Violence

In January 2008, Abdul-Malik worked to start a movement among Muslim men. This movement aimed to change how a specific verse in the Koran was understood. This verse, Chapter 4, Verse 34, had often been interpreted to allow husbands to hit their wives. Abdul-Malik wanted a new interpretation. He believed the verse should mean women should be obedient to God, not that husbands could hit their wives. He called this verse the "linchpin" that justified domestic violence in some Muslim contexts.

Response to Fort Hood Shooting

Anwar al-Awlaki

In November 2009, Abdul-Malik responded to comments made by former Dar al-Hijrah Imam Anwar al-Awlaki. Al-Awlaki had supported the Fort Hood shooter. Abdul-Malik strongly disagreed. He said that Al-Awlaki had separated himself from the Muslim community in the United States. Abdul-Malik emphasized that the Koran teaches US Muslims to help society. He said they should share God's teachings of love, mercy, and compassion.

He also spoke about how some immigrants in the community believed in conspiracy theories. They thought the Fort Hood shooting was not committed by Hasan. Abdul-Malik, as a Black American, explained that "denial" can be a way for minority groups to cope. He said that Black Americans have moved past these stages. They became involved in political action, and now the President of the United States is one of them.

Personal Life

Johari Abdul-Malik lives in the Washington, DC area with his wife. They have three children.